SIR Alex has admitted there is no point in Manchester United competing for the same players as Chelsea.

A frustrated Ferguson has seen targets Arjen Robben, Damien Duff and Michael Essien all snub Old Trafford in favour of the Roman Abramovich-backed Londoners, while the belief within United circles is that John Obi Mikel's U-turn over his proposed move to the Red Devils is because he has been told Chelsea are interested in him.

Although new owner Malcolm Glazer has pledged to back a major transfer plunge in January, Ferguson knows he will have to sidestep any targets Chelsea identify, which is why he is placing so much faith in his club's youth system to provide a platform for the future.

"I do not think we would even think about competing with Chelsea," Ferguson told Century FM.

"If Chelsea go for a player we are interested in, we are not going to beat them, so there is no point even going for him unless, like Park Ji-sung, they are of a mind to join United.

"But any young player wanting to progress his career should think seriously about joining us because, as our record proves, we do give them a chance."

The latest young talents to roll off the United production line will be on show tonight, when Ferguson's side entertain League Two strugglers Barnet in the Carling Cup.

For a long time now, the United boss has used the competition to give his fringe players a game.

The tactic has not stopped his side reaching the last four in successive seasons, although, with so many injuries to his first-team squad, it is difficult to see this week's inexperienced starting line-up advancing that far without a very favourable draw.

Defenders Adam Eckersley and Danny Simpson, striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and midfielder Lee Martin, recruited from Wimbledon for an overall cost of £1million when he was still a schoolboy, are set for their first senior starts, while it was intended to give Gerard Pique and Giuseppe Rossi the opportunity to further their first-team education.

"It will be a very exciting night for these lads," said Ferguson.

"I hope the fans will see the years ahead will be very good for these players.

"I am trying to lay the foundations for Manchester United and I want to build something that will last for years, not two minutes."